Low carbon strategies for sustainable bio-alkane gas production and renewable energy

Abstract

Propane and butane are the main constituents of liquefied petroleum gas and are used extensively for transport and domestic use. They are clean burning fuels, suitable for the development of low carbon footprint fuel and energy policies. Here, we present blueprints for the production of bio-alkane gas (propane and butane) through the conversion of waste volatile fatty acids by bacterial culture. We show that bio-propane and bio-butane can be produced photo-catalytically by bioengineered strains of E. coli and Halomonas (in non-sterile seawater) using fatty acids derived from biomass or industrial waste, and by Synechocystis (using carbon dioxide as feedstock). Scaled production using available infrastructure is calculated to be economically feasible using Halomonas. These fuel generation routes could be deployed rapidly, in both advanced and developing countries, and contribute to energy security to meet global carbon management targets and clean air directives.